The bobble and the battle of the bottles

With Christmas just around the proverbial bend, we should be basking in cooler weather, but nope, it sure feels a lot like summer in November. On a sweltering Thursday, a phalanx of thirsty health writers troops to the launch of the bobble at the Terry SA Inc. Building on Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati. Of course, our collective thirst is at once satisfied by the sight of plastic water bottles, grouped together to form a Christmas tree, at the door. Inside, there are more plastic bottles —actually, they’re PET (poly ethylene terephthalate) bottles. It’s the bobble, the latest wellness product from Terry SA, the same company that gave us the must-have Havaianas, Dupe, David & Goliath, among other lifestyle giants. This chic, curvy drinking bottle is bound to make a fashion statement, too.  (But fret not, it will not smell anything like your pair of Havaianas.)

Did we say PET? You bet! The embattled bottle has stirred up many a controversy. As can be gleaned from PRLog, Vimal Kedia, managing director of Manjushree Extrusions, bets on the safety of PET: “PET is certainly among the safest plastic used in packaging; the fact that every authority across the globe including the US FDA had found it safe enough for packing food products is a testimony to its safety. PET is safe to use, reuse, and recycle. Unfortunately, it is a common practice to give all plastic material a bad name and PET has consequently suffered at the hands of those who spread unfounded rumors and those who pass it on mindlessly. It is also easily forgotten that PET actually offers several advantages such as transparent packaging, unbreakable packaging, chemical inertness, etc., making it very suitable for packing different liquids including drinking water . . . Also, it is a sobering thought that if we stop using plastics, a major substitute for plastics will be paper and a tree takes 12 years to give us the first ream of paper! On the other hand, plastics can continue to be recycled throughout its life, causing minimum impact on the environment.”

With the bobble soon to create bubbles, there’s no denying the importance of hydration.  After a sumptuous lunch of pasta and chicken catered by Cibo, they pass around  bobble bottles filled with water. Having hydrated ourselves to our hearts’ content, we sit down with the amiable Ammiel de Leon, Terry SA brand development director, for a free-flowing chat. He tells us, “They say we need to drink eight glasses of water a day. I think most people drink more than eight. You don’t really have to wait to feel thirsty before you drink because you may already be dehydrated.”

Enter the bobble, which promises to make drinking water an even better, fresher, more refreshing experience. Ammiel adds, “The bobble is for people who love fun, are active, health- and image-conscious, who exude a youthful vibe. It’s for modern, chic, young professionals who are always on the go; for athletes; for people who stay up late.”

So, drink up! And drink in a few more facts about the bobble in this Q & A:

How safe and environment-friendly is the bobble?

Bobble is made from FDA- and DOH-approved recycled PET that is free of toxic BPA, phthalates and PVC, and is 100-percent recyclable. Yes, it is designed to be reused over and over again. But like all drink containers, it must be cleaned regularly.

How is the bobble helping the environment?

Did you know that a single bobble filter is equivalent to at least 300 bottles of filtered water, about 150 liters? Therefore, with daily use, your bobble should last about two months.

What is the filter made of and how does it work?

It’s made of carbon and recycled plastic. It’s so simple — as you drink, it filters. So fill up your bobble, drink clean filtered water, and enjoy the taste of bobble water.

How do I use my bobble bottle?

First, fill your bobble with water and gently squeeze the water through the filter one time. This will remove any loose carbon. The activated carbon filter requires no maintenance thereafter.

Can you tell us exactly how bobble filters water?

Bobble uses a carbon filter, a proven, powerful chemical absorbent. As the water passes over the positively charged carbon surface of the filter, the negative ions of the contaminants are drawn to the surface of the carbon granules, where they remain.

How does the filter take out the harmful substances?

Bobble is super effective at taking out chlorine and organic contaminants from potable water. It is not recommended for use where water is not microbiologically safe or of unknown quality.

What about the health concerns regarding reusing bottle made out of PET?

Most drinking water bottles are PET bottles (Number 1). The bottles are safe to reuse as long as they’re cleaned with hot, soapy water and thoroughly dried regularly, to quell potential bacteria growth. Extensive testing has demonstrated that PET, used widely in food and drink containers, is safe for both single and repeated use.

Are there harmful side effects associated with ingesting loose carbon?

No, carbon is a natural substance that can be ingested without risk of side effects.

Does a carbon filter remove or decrease the amounts of fluoride from water?

Fluoride will remain unchanged for the most part. Regardless of whether the fluoride is naturally occurring in the water supply (well, water often contains fluoride) or whether the fluoride is intruded in the public water supply intentionally (many cities do this), the fluoride will register the same amount before and after the filter and only under special circumstances will a very slight reduction register.

Who made the bobble?

Manufactured in the US, it was introduced in 2010. It is being introduced in the Philippines by the same company (Terry SA, Inc.) that brought in Havaianas, Aura Athletica, David & Goliath, Dupe, and Pininho.

Who designed this chic-looking bottle?

The bobble was designed by the famous multi-awardwinning industrial designer Karim Rashid, the same man behind innovative product designs for Alessi, Umbra, Hugo Boss, among others. Its curvy, grip-friendly shape makes it easy to carry around during workout sessions or when socializing. And it comes in such cool colors as magenta, red, green, yellow, blue, and black (especially for the macho males).

Is bobble bottle and the filter dishwasher-safe?

Bobble is not dishwasher-safe. Please wash bobble thoroughly in hot soapy water and soak the filter in its plastic cover in boiling water.

How will I know when to change my filter?

The taste will tell you, just as with other water filters you use at home. It is recommended that you change the filter after a minimum of two months or 150 liters of use.

Can you put flavored water in the bobble or will this disrupt the filter?

Bobble is designed to only remove chlorine and organic contaminants from municipal tap/potable water and has not been tested for added mixes or flavorings. Using any liquid other than potable water with your bobble is not recommended.

Can you put bobble in the freezer?

Freezing a carbon filter is not recommended. Just put your bobble in the refrigerator.

Does the filter fit in other bottles?

Bobble’s filter and bottle were specifically designed to function together only — to make water better.

How long does the bottle last?

The filter lasts for 300 refills — the bottle lasts many times more.

How affordable is the bobble?

A 550ml bobble bottle costs P595. The filter retails at P345 each. The biggest 1000ml bobble costs P695 while the smallest 375ml bobble costs P495.

Where can I buy the bobble?

You can buy the bobble starting December 1 at Aura Athletica, Power Plant Mall. For more information, visit facebook.com/bobblePH.